Article for 'time'

Question

Hi,I always get confused with a sentence where I have to deal with an abstract noun. For example, I am not sure whether I should use an article before 'time' in the following sentences. Both sentences sound right to me.1. In a backwardation situation contract prices will go up as time passes.2. In a backwardation situation contract prices will go up as the time passes.Thanks,MG.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Don't use the second one. (I'll have to think about it to come up with a good reason, except that I feel very clear about it!)

I'd say don't use "the" when talking about time in general. But use it when talking about a specific time, or period of time: "Prices will go up as the time remaining passes."

Perhaps the best plan would be to get a sense of those cases where "the" is required. I'd say there are cases where "the" is optional, but few where it's required.

(Optional) [The] time just seemed to drag. [The] time just flew by whenever we were together.

When you're talking about a specific point in time, or a specific amount of time, I'd say that "the" is required. (I suppose you wouldn't call this abstract.)

The time has come, the walrus said, to speak of many things. The time on your parking meter is down to only three minutes.

But we say, "It's time to get up - to meet your maker - to think about your future"

Edit. After a second look at your original example, where time is an element in a technical formulation, it's almost necessary to see how this is typically phrased within the industry. there's no really compelling reason why "the time" could not be used - sort of in the sense of "the time factor."

If it's used more generically, ("In the movie, as time passes, her memory begins to fail.") then "the time" would not be appropriate.

Article for 'time'

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